Lawmaker Urges Humanitarian Approach in Somali Hostage Release

RRI.CO.ID, Makassar – The Lawmaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission I, Syamsu Rizal Marzuki Ibrahim, is urging the Indonesian government to prioritize a humanitarian approach in releasing Indonesian citizens held hostage in Somalia. He emphasized that the safety of the hostages is the top priority.

Currently, the government continues to pursue the release of Indonesians reportedly still being held hostage in Somalia. It is known that these Indonesians were taken hostage after the MT Honour 25 tanker they were aboard was hijacked by pirates on April 21, 2026, in Somali waters.

Syamsu also noted that the government continues to implement a comprehensive approach through diplomatic channels and communication with various parties. “The key is a comprehensive approach, which we continue to pursue,” he said on the sidelines of the Grand Assembly of the Hasanuddin University Alumni Association in Makassar on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Previously, the Omani-flagged tanker carrying oil was hijacked by Somali pirates, with a total of 17 crew members taken hostage. Four of them are Indonesians: Ashari Samadikun (captain) from Gowa, South Sulawesi; Faizal (chief mate) from Bulukumba, South Sulawesi; and two other crew members from Pemalang, Central Java, and Bogor, West Java.

The families of the victims in South Sulawesi hope the government can immediately bring the hostages home safely. This hope was expressed amid threats from the pirates, who are reportedly demanding a ransom.

The government has assured that it will continue to monitor the release process until all hostages, including the Indonesians, can return safely. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)